Braves' Bobby Cox Optimistic About Rotation

Posted: Sat 1:17 AM, Mar 17, 2007

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) _ Bobby Cox walked away from an AtlantaBraves intrasquad minor league game this morning feeling good aboutthe depth of his major league team's starting pitching. Only eight days after Mike Hampton suffered a strained leftoblique that will force him to miss the start of the season, Cox'scontinued confidence in his team's starters is notable. Lance Cormier and Kyle Davies, believed to be competing for thelast spot in the rotation, are making strong cases for the job. Cormier pitched five shutout innings against the New YorkYankees' regulars on Thursday, and Davies was similarly impressiveon a much smaller stage today. Pitching in the intrasquad minor league game on a field behindthe Braves' stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports, Davies gaveup only two hits and one run in five innings. The only run heallowed was a homer to Jon-Mark Owings, an outfielder fromGainesville. Pitching coach Roger McDowell has worked with Davies to changehis delivery. Davies no longer is bringing his hands over his headat the start of his delivery. Instead he starts with his handslower. Davies was a disappointing 3-7 with an 8.38 with Atlanta lastseason. He was 7-6 with a 4.93 ERA in 2005.

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